Well now I've been emailed by the PR at El Tercer Nombre. Wow! Direct contact at last!

Apparently, 2 Spanish radio networks want to interview me - but only if I speak fluent Spanish, so that's out. Shame ...

But 2 Spanish magazines - one national monthly and one online - also want to do interviews after they've read the book. If they're done by email, translation shouldn't be a problem. As long as they don't use Babel Fish ...

I hadn't wanted to admit, but I was struggling a bit with my current novel, Depth Charge. The plot revolves around local government corruption but the theme is blood relations. (As opposed to the alternative Nirvana family.) I was worried that I wasn't binding the two together effectively. Over the holidays, I read through the story so far and wrote the content (or intent) of each chapter in 3 or 4 words. Then a few days ago, I had a bathtime moment. For the first time in ages I jumped out and, still dripping, grabbed pen and paper and scribbled down an outline of where I was going as well as a later chapter that I'd visualised clearly. It works! You see, I'd forgotten. This panic always happens about 30-40,000 words in.

Remember I said I needed to find work? Debi got proactive. Think irons ... think fires ... I put my cv in at LG's school for possible classroon assistant work; I applied for a p/t charity finance worker job; on the advice of my agent, I contacted some of the literary consultancies. And guess what ... I have my first 90,000 word m/s to read and write a 3,000 word report on!

This is what I said the last time I posted about getting work:

So the harsh realityis that I'm going to have to look for a job. I can't see any way round it. I'll try to find something that fits in around the school hours. It would be good if it was local, so I don't have to spend hours travelling. It would be wonderful if it was related in some way to writing.

Do you remember when you told me to do a list???? That was when you became known as my fairy godmother. You have fairy powers ;-) Wish fulfillment is a wonderful thing. Sounds like you're in for a great year and I am happy happy for you.Enjoy.Cx

Right wish fulfillement... Righty ho! I'll work on that. Meanwhile goodluck with the writing, but jumpin' out the bath? When I get into the bath I know it's going to be for a good long time, so I make sure I have everything I could possibly need around me in the next hour or so ... cheese sandwiches are now added to that list of necessities!